ANKARA - HDP Parliamentary Group left the photographs of MP Habip Eksik, who was attacked by the police, in front of the speaker's office, which maintained its silence.

 

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Group Deputy Chairperson Meral Danış Beştaş and Saruhan Oluç, HDP Women's Council Spokesperson Ayşe Acar Başaran and many MPs marched in front of the speaker's office. HDP members condemned the Parliamentary Speaker Mustafa Şentop's silence despite the police attack on MPs Habip Eksik and Sait Dede in Yüksekova.

 

HDP supporters carried placards consisting of photographs of Iğdır MPs Eksik with a broken leg and on a stretcher, and photographs of police officers throwing the MPs on the ground.

 

A statement was made in front of Şentop's office at the end of the march. Journalists who followed the statement were suspended by the police.

 

HDP Group Deputy Chairperson Saruhan Oluç said in a statement: “As a result of the heavy attack, Habip Eksik underwent surgery with 3 broken legs and is currently in the hospital. To date, we have not heard of the speaker's office making any statement or condemnation. The fact that the heavy attack of the law enforcement against a MP in the Parliament has not been condemned after so many days actually means that the speaker's office tacitly approved this attack. This is not acceptable.”

 

'THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE IS BEHIND THE ATTACK'

 

Condemning the silence of the Speaker's Office Şentop, Oluç said: “If a Parliament Speaker is impartial, if he is at an equal distance from all parties, then a MP should raise his voice against the attack and defend his rights, regardless of party. However, the Parliament Speaker has remained silent and he did not give us an appointment. Although we asked for an appointment yesterday, the situation gives strong signs that he is behind this attack. We are waiting for an explanation from him. If he is not behind this attack, if he condemns the attack on the MP, both in terms of immunity and humanity, we want to hear it. The Parliament Speaker, who makes a statement on every subject, how can a MP be hospitalized, his leg is broken, he is beaten, but the Parliament Speaker keeps silent. MPs make statements using their democratic and constitutional rights. There is no obstacle to this. It is essentially a crime to prevent this."

 

After the announcement, HDP MPs left the placard they were carrying in front of the speaker's office. As soon as HDP members left, the police officers in the Parliament collected the photos.